I agree with everyting above, with the exception of the comment about staples. They are much maligned and misunderstood and several friends of mine who reupholster swear by them. In our marine climate stainless staples outlast even the best quality tacks and there is no rusting. The holes they create are smaller and the load is spread more evenly. A properly adjusted staple gun and the proper size staple can be set much more efficiently with no damage to the frame. I've had 5 pieces reupholstered over the years, the youngest in the 50-60 yr. old range (in original upholstery!). All were completely "ripped down", the frames checked for "racking" and the "wobbles" and tightened. All the webbing was removed and replaced, the springs reused and re-tied. Any horsehair (on the really old pieces) was cleaned and reused, fluffed up and secured with bridle ties. All the foam in the cushions of the newer pieces was replaced (I sampled the density of the foam before deciding which one to use), and wrapped in batting with a non-woven cover. Every piece came home looking wonderful and I've never regretted having them redone. Reupholstery is labor instensive. You are paying someone who lives locally to take the time to fuss over your furniture. They have worked hard to amass and perfect their skills, they have overhead, and they pay taxes, too. Personally? I would rather pay a tradesman/craftsman in my own country to breathe new life into something I find pleasing and works in my home. I agree than many of new particle board pieces are not worth the time required, but any good upholsterer will tell you that at the time the estimate is given.

I'm naive when it comes to chosing perfect fabric colors or patterns, but I did want to add (from my unfortunate experience) to choose a fabric with some integrity. By that, I mean don't choose a fabric that's too plush or soft and comfy to the touch. We did that with a custom made sofa and loveseat and were so very disappointed. It didn't hold up well at all - and, it's just DH and I at home on a daily basis (no little ones or teens). The second custom fabric/furniture we selected was from fabric that was more durable and that piece of furniture looked just like new 10 years later. Just wanted to share so you aren't disappointed as we were.

well, when I said I wasn't too good with the camera, I was hyping my camera skills. I wish I knew how to do this better- I am posting the pix I took, but they are lousy. The colors don't show well at all, and it's hard to see the details. I guess what matters is that I think it looks great- (and feels wonderful to sit on a nice, firm but not too firm cushion and back). I just draped the swatch on the sofa, and it really is the same. It's very strange, because the pillow fabric in REAL LIFE and LIGHTING, is only a tad darker than the sofa (and looks great on it_--- but in the photo it looks like night and day difference). Well maybe tomorrow I will get a better likeness. Also the nailheads don't show up too well and in real life are definitely there but are rather understated a I got antiqued brass.

Since blue denim can rub off, then really blue is the way to go with the sofa and loveseat. A patterned gold or camel rug with some blue would be a good upgrade if you have the budget to balance out so much blue. Also consider replacing the love seat with two upholstered camel leather arm chairs, up on legs--two of them might cost less than reupholstering the loveseat. Or two small proportioned leather recliners in camel for TV watching in your family room--something like this only in camel: If the sofas are better made and more comfortable than anything you could buy now, then get quotations on reupholstering. If you go that route, don't have skirts on the pieces. You'll get a more modern, airier look without the skirts and the upholstery job will cost less.